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On a night when England achieved one unwanted record, with their lowest home
crowd since Wembley Stadium was reopened in 2007, at least they just about
avoided another. Victory over Norway ended a run of five matches without a
win, sparing Roy Hodgson and his team the ignominy of emulating the
miserable six-game run of Graham Taylor’s much derided class of 1993.

A single swipe of Wayne Rooney’s right boot from the penalty spot, midway
through the second half, stopped the rot for England — well, statistically,
at least. Deeper analysis would suggest that the national team’s long-term
malaise will not

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Sterling was a rare source of joy for England

September 4 2014 Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Sterling was a rare source of joy for England

September 4 2014 Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

He fired home a penalty for his 41st goal for England

September 4 2014 DARREN STAPLES/REUTERS

The United striker settled the first international of the season

September 4 2014 Matthew Childs/Action Images

Rooney marked his first game as England captain by scoring the winning goal

September 4 2014 ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

The effort took the United striker up to fourth place in the all-time England charts

September 4 2014 Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

He lead England for the first time since Hodgson handed him the captaincy on a permanent basis